Understanding the Abandoned: An Educator's Immersive Approach

REFLECTIVE MEMO: I was not delighted by the results of this piece, but I'm also proud for some of its aspects .After my interview with my profile subject, Dr .Ryan Alaniz, I felt moved by his words, stories, thoughts, and evident drive within him that he could exhibit in such a humble manner .There were many quotes that I wished to have integrated, but I sacrificed using them for the length of my essay .I was pleased with my use of descriptive language for his surroundings and body language-which perhaps filled in some of the gaps for my lack of quotes or stories .I wanted to provoke more emotion in readers by weaving in more stories from his workplace, but I also had to touch on his thoughts on and experiences in the local prison system .I also found it difficult trying to format the order of my paragraphs .My original layout had started with his earliest connections to inmates, then ending with his more recent and relevant time spent at the California Men's Colony .My peers helped me refrain from this structure as there was confusion on the focal point of my essay: his time and passion for his work at the Men's Colony .Overall, I am happy that I could exhibit some sort of reflection for his work .I want people to know who Alaniz is and why our indirect ties to the Men's Colony are important .